Powder module for an apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a powder module ( 1 ) for an apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising: 
     a powder chamber ( 2 ) limiting a powder room ( 3 ) that can be filled with powdered construction material, a carrying device ( 4 ) arranged in the powder room ( 3 ), limiting the powder room ( 3 ) at the bottom and movably supported relative to the powder chamber ( 2 ), and a drive device ( 5 ) for generating a force setting the carrying device ( 4 ) in motion relative to the powder chamber ( 2 ), wherein the drive device ( 5 ) comprises at least two separate adjustment units ( 6   a,    6   b ), that especially are coupled for movement, with at least one, especially cylindrical, adjustment element ( 7   a,    7   b ), wherein each adjustment element ( 7   a,    7   b ) is movably supported relative to a respective housing element ( 8   a,    8   b ) of the respective adjustment unit ( 6   a,    6   b ) between a first end position and a second end position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to German Patent Application serial no.10 2016 114 056.2 filed Jul. 29, 2016, the contents of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if set forthverbatim.

The invention relates to a powder module for an apparatus for additivemanufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising a powder chamberlimiting a powder room that can be filled with powdered constructionmaterial, a carrying device arranged in the powder room, limiting thepowder room at the bottom and movably supported relative to the powderchamber, and a drive device for generating a force setting the carryingdevice in motion relative to the powder chamber.

Such powder modules, for example in the form of construction or meteringmodules, are known as functional components of apparatuses for additivemanufacturing of three-dimensional objects. In respective powdermodules, a possibly accurate and reliable movement of respectivecarrying devices relative to respective powder chambers is ofsignificant importance. A possibly accurate and reliable movement orcontrol of respective carrying devices is also especially to be ensuredfor comparatively long (high) traveling distances (liftings) of thecarrying devices, i.e. typically traveling distances of the carryingdevices of above 500 mm.

Previous drive devices employed in respective powder modules could beimproved or further developed in terms of accuracy and reliability ofthe movements of the carrying devices that can be realized or arerealized by said devices.

Thus, the invention is based on the object of providing, especially interms of accuracy and reliability of the movements of the carryingdevice realized by means of the drive device, an improved powder modulefor an apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensionalobjects.

The object is solved by a powder module for an apparatus for additivemanufacturing of three-dimensional objects according to claim 1. Thedependent claims relate to possible embodiments of the powder module.

The powder module described herein represents a functional component ofan apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects. Arespective apparatus is provided for the additive manufacturing of atleast one three-dimensional object (hereinafter, in short, referred toas “object”) by successive, selective layer-by-layer exposure and thussolidification of individual construction material layers of a powderedconstruction material (hereinafter, in short, referred to as“construction material”) that can be solidified by means of at least oneenergy beam. The construction material can be a metal powder, plasticpowder and/or ceramic powder. Metal powders, plastic powders or ceramicpowders can also be interpreted to include a powder mixture of differentmetals, plastics or ceramics. The energy beam can be a laser beam. Theapparatus can correspondingly be an apparatus for performing selectivelaser melting methods (SLM methods in short) or selective lasersintering methods (SLS methods in short), i.e. a selective laser meltingapparatus (SLM apparatus) or a selective laser sintering apparatus (SLSapparatus).

The powder module can generally be any powder module, which is providedfor receiving and/or dispensing construction material. In particular,the powder module can be a construction module in which the actualadditive construction of three-dimensional objects is performed andwhich, for this purpose, is filled with construction material to besolidified in a successive, selective layer-by-layer manner whenperforming additive manufacturing processes, a metering module viawhich, when performing additive manufacturing processes, constructionmaterial is metered out into a process chamber successively and inlayers, or a collector module which, when performing additivemanufacturing processes, is filled with construction material that isnot solidified.

The powder module comprises a powder chamber. The powder chamber limitsa powder room that can be filled with construction material. The powderroom is limited at least on the side by walls (powder chamber walls) ofthe powder chamber generally formed like a hollow parallelepiped or likea hollow cylinder.

At the bottom, the powder room is limited by a carrying device. Thecarrying device can comprise a table-like base body and at least one,especially several, plate-like or plate-shaped supporting bodiesarranged or formed on the base body in a stacked-like manner. Respectivesupporting bodies can be differently functionalized. Respectivesupporting bodies can e.g. be a construction plate, a heater and a(thermal) insulating body. Between directly adjacent supporting bodies,sealing elements can at least partially be arranged or formed.

The carrying device is typically movably supported between two endpositions, i.e. between an upper end position (related to the height ofthe powder module) and a lower end position, relative to the powderchamber. The movable support of the carrying device enables therealization of an especially linear movement of the carrying devicealong a vertical movement axis or in a vertical movement direction. Themaximum traveling distance of the carrying device can be between 800 and2,000 mm, especially between 950 and 1,050 mm.

The movable support of the carrying device is realized by a drive devicecoupled to said carrying device. The drive device is provided forforming or generating a force (driving force) setting the carryingdevice in a respective motion relative to the powder chamber. The drivedevice can e.g. be formed (electro) mechanically, hydraulically orpneumatically.

It is significant to the drive device that it comprises at least twoseparate adjustment units. The adjustment units also referred to orconsidered as adjustment actuators are typically arranged in parallelnext to each other. The adjustment units can typically be coupled formovement. The adjustment units are typically driven equally orsynchronously.

Each adjustment unit comprises at least one adjustment element. Theadjustment elements of the adjustment unit are typically arranged inparallel next to each other. Each adjustment element is movablysupported relative to a respective housing element or part of therespective adjustment unit, in which various components of therespective adjustment unit are arranged or formed, between a first endposition and a second end position, and vice versa. The first endposition can correspond to an end position of the respective adjustmentelement (fully) extended from the housing element, and the second endposition can correspond to an end position of the respective adjustmentelement (fully) retracted into the housing element. In the first endposition of the adjustment element, the carrying device is typicallymoved into its upper end position; the first end position of theadjustment element hence typically corresponds to the upper end positionof the carrying device. In the second end position of the adjustmentelement, the carrying device is typically moved into its lower endposition; the second end position of the adjustment element hencetypically corresponds to the lower end position of the carrying device.

A respective adjustment element can have a cylindrical base shape. Arespective adjustment element can be a simple adjustment cylinder.Alternatively, the respective adjustment element can be a telescopecylinder that comprises several adjustment element portions arranged ineach other that can be moved relative to each other. Said telescope-likeor telescope-shaped design of an adjustment element is purposeful,especially in terms of the realization of comparatively large travelingdistances (liftings), i.e. especially traveling distances of at least500 mm, of the carrying device. In addition, the telescope-like ortelescope-shaped design of an adjustment element enables an extremelycompact design, especially in terms of the (maximum) traveling distance(lifting) that can be realized with said element. The compact design ofthe drive device accounts for the typically small space or roomavailable in a respective powder module.

The drive device described enables an accurate and reliable realizationor control of movements of the carrying device. By using a respectivedrive device, an improved powder module is overall provided in terms ofaccuracy and reliability of the movements of the carrying devicerealized with the drive device. Similarly, the drive device described isdesigned extremely compactly, especially in terms of the (maximum)traveling distances (liftings) that can be realized with said device.The drive device or the powder module can readily be integrated in theexisting system or machine structure of devices for additivemanufacturing of three-dimensional objects; despite the large liftingsthat can be realized by means of the drive device, typically a change ofsystem or machine structure is not required.

Each adjustment unit can at least comprise a first, especiallytelescope-like, adjustment element movably supported between a first endposition and a second end position, and at least a second, especiallytelescope-like, adjustment element movably supported between a first anda second end position. A respective first adjustment element cantypically be coupled or is typically coupled with the carrying device; arespective second adjustment element can typically be coupled or istypically coupled with a support structure of the powder module,supporting the powder chamber.

Designing the adjustment units with several adjustment elements allowsfor an enlargement of the traveling distances that can be realized withthe respective adjustment unit. The respective adjustment elements ofthe adjustment unit can, depending on the implementation of thecoupling, be moved synchronously or asynchronously with at least onedrive unit associated with the drive device between its respective endpositions. The movements of the adjustment elements can be equally ordifferently directed. The traveling distance (overall lifting) that canoverall be realized with a respective adjustment unit hence results fromthe sum of the sub-traveling distances (sub-liftings) that can berealized by means of the adjustment elements associated with theadjustment unit, between the respective first and second end positionsthereof. Typically, the adjustment elements of an adjustment unit areconnected in series, i.e. arranged and aligned in a common (vertical)axis, which is typically parallel to the (vertical) movement axis of thecarrying device.

It was mentioned before that the drive device is associated with atleast one drive unit. The drive unit, which is typically formed as or atleast comprises a drive motor, is provided for generating a forcesetting the carrying device in motion relative to the powder chamber.The force generated by the drive unit is transmitted via suitable forcetransmission elements, i.e. belts, pinions, etc. to the respectiveadjustment units or the respective adjustment elements of the adjustmentunit to move these elements between the respective end positionsthereof. A specific example of an arrangement of respective forcetransmission elements provides a force transmission belt interconnectedbetween the drive unit and an adjustment piston of the adjustment unit,e.g. in the shape of a thread drive, especially a spindle or a ball-typelinear drive. The force transmission belt is typically coupled with thepinion end of the drive unit and the driving side of the adjustmentpiston of the adjustment unit.

Above it was already mentioned that the at least two adjustment unitsare typically arranged in parallel next to each other. The adjustmentunits can be connected with each other by at least one cross connectionstructure, which can e.g. be a crossbeam or a crossbar. Of course, theadjustment units can also be connected with each other by several crossconnection structures arranged in parallel. The at least two adjustmentunits can e.g. be connected with each other by at least one first crossconnection structure (middle cross connection structure) in the sectionof a respective housing element of the adjustment unit. By an optionalsecond cross connection structure (upper cross connection structure),the adjustment units can be connected with each other in the section ofthe respective first adjustment elements thereof, especially in thesection of the respective free ends thereof. The second cross connectionstructure can similarly form a coupling structure for coupling the drivedevice with the carrying device. By an optional third cross connectionstructure, the adjustment units can be connected with each other in thesection of the respective second adjustment elements thereof, especiallyin the section of the respective free ends thereof. The third crossconnection structure can similarly form a coupling structure forcoupling the drive device with the frame-like support structuresupporting the powder chamber.

The respective cross connection structures can correspondingly connectthe adjustment units with each other in the section of a respectivehousing element of the adjustment unit or in the section of therespective adjustment elements of the adjustment unit and cancorrespondingly be coupled to the respective housing elements of theadjustment unit, or the respective adjustment elements of the adjustmentunit. Respective cross connection structures increase the mechanicalstability, especially the stiffness, of the entire drive device.Similarly, a cross connection structure, i.e. especially a crossconnection structure connecting the adjustment units in the section of arespective housing element of the adjustment unit with each other,offers a possibility for a compact arrangement of the drive unit; thedrive unit can be arranged on the cross connection structure, especiallycentered between the at least two adjustment units. A respective crossconnection structure can at least partially be formed hollow such thatit is provided for receiving the force transmission elements mentioned.

In order to seal the drive device, especially against the intrusion ofconstruction material, the powder module can comprise a sealing elementextendable in at least one direction and especially formed like abellow. The sealing element is arranged or formed in vertical directionbetween the carrying device and the powder chamber or a powder chamberconnecting part connecting on the bottom of the powder chamber. Thepowder chamber connecting part can be a receiving element limiting areceiving section provided for receiving construction material andcomprising a flow channel structure.

The powder module typically has several components that in operation areto be supplied with data and/or energy. Appropriate components are forexample the drive unit and the carrying device, i.e. especially a heaterforming a component part of the carrying device. Accordingly, the powdermodule comprises data and/or supply lines especially for the supply ofcomponents of the powder module to be supplied with data and/orelectricity, with data and/or electricity. Via appropriate supply linesdepending on specific design, (electric) energy and/or data, especiallycontrol signals or parameters, can be transmitted. If required, it ispossible that via supply lines, hydraulic or pneumatic working fluidsare transmitted; appropriate supply lines can e.g. be formed as orcomprise supply tubes.

The supply lines can be arranged directed in a chain-like guiding devicecomprising several guiding elements that are especially flexiblyconnected with each other. This is an especially compact and in terms ofthe manageability thereof a workable arrangement of the supply lines.The guiding device can especially be a multi-unit, elongated energychain designed in an open or closed manner.

The powder module can, of course, comprise several respective guidingdevices. A first guiding device can be attached to the carrying devicevia a first attachment section and to an immobile portion of the powdermodule, especially to a carrying structure arranged to an immobileportion of the powder module, via a second attachment section. The firstguiding device can at least extend zigzag-like in a base positionbetween the first attachment section and the second attachment section.A second guiding device can be attached to the drive device via a firstattachment section and to an immobile portion of the powder module,especially to a carrying structure arranged to an immobile portion ofthe powder module, via a second attachment section. The second guidingdevice can—analogous to the first guiding device—at least extendzigzag-like in a base position between the first attachment section andthe second attachment section. The respective base position typicallycorresponds to the lower end position of the carrying device. Theimmobile portion of the powder module can respectively be e.g. thealready mentioned support structure of the powder module, supporting thepowder chamber.

It was mentioned that the maximum traveling distance (lifting) of thecarrying device can be between 800 and 2,000 mm, especially between 950and 1,050 mm. Appropriately large traveling distances of the carryingdevice require a powder chamber that is formed appropriately high.Therefore, the powder chamber or a powder chamber base body limiting thepowder room can be formed in a segmented manner. The powder chamber basebody can be formed segmented into several powder chamber base bodysegments that can be or are attached to each other forming the powderchamber base body. By arranging respective powder chamber base bodysegments like stacks, principally powder chambers of any height andhence any heights of construction can be realized. The segmentation isrelevant especially for the design of the powder module as constructionmodule.

The segmentation of the powder chamber base body into the powder chamberbase body segments is performed depending on the number of the powderchamber base body segments in at least one, possibly more, segmentationplanes. A respective segmentation plane can basically be anywhere in theroom; respective powder chamber base body segments can principally bearranged in horizontal and/or vertical orientation. Also inclinedsegmentation planes are principally imaginable regarding a horizontal orvertical reference plane.

The respective powder chamber base body segments in their geometricstructural dimensions are selected such that they can each bemanufactured in one production step. The so far problematicmanufacturing of comparatively high powder or construction chambers,i.e. especially powder chambers the powder room of which exceeds amaximum height of at least 500 mm, i.e. possibly having 1,000 mm ormore, with the requested narrow tolerances is hence addressed by asegmentation of the powder chamber into several powder chamber base bodysegments that can be attached or are attached to each other in theassembly state of the powder chamber forming the powder chamber basebody.

With the possibility of attaching respective powder chamber base bodysegments to each other, powder chambers of any height can basically beformed. Of course, this also applies to the case of the stack-typevertical arrangement or attachment of respective powder chamber basebody segments on top of each other. From this it follows that the powderchamber base body is formed in a segmented manner preferably in at leastone horizontal segmentation plane, wherein the respective powder chamberbase body segments when segmenting in the horizontal segmentation planecan be attached or are attached on top of each other in vertical orvertical adjacent arrangement.

The respective powder chamber base body segments can have a (hollow)parallelepiped, hollow cylindrical or an annular disk-shaped base shape.The powder chamber base body segments hence each comprise an interiorroom limited by the walls of the respective powder chamber base bodysegments, defined by the respective base shape thereof. The respectiveinterior room of the powder chamber base body segments (in the assemblystate of the powder chamber) forms a part of the powder room. Hence,each powder chamber base body segment typically limits one powder roomportion describing an entire inner circumference of the powder room.

Basically, the powder chamber base body segments can be formedgeometric-structurally identical or can be formed such that they differin at least one geometric-structural parameter, especially therespective height thereof. In geometric structural terms, the powderchamber can hence comprise (several) identical powder chamber base bodysegments or (several) different powder chamber base body segments. Thegeometric structural dimensions of the respective powder chamber basebody segments can be selected especially in terms of the realization ofa certain desired height of the powder chamber or the powder room.

For attachment—the attachment can typically be detached (in adamage-free and non-destructive manner)—of powder chamber base bodysegments that can be or are attached to each other to form the powderchamber base body, at least one attachment element can be arranged orformed on each powder chamber base body segment. The respectiveattachment elements are provided to interact by forming a (detachable)attachment of at least two powder chamber base body segments that are tobe connected or that are connected to form the base body. The respectiveattachment elements can be provided to interact by forming an attachmentof at least two powder chamber base body segments that are to beconnected or that are connected to form the base body in a form-lockedand/or force-locked manner. This is especially understood to mean thatthe respective attachment elements are provided to interact with eachother by forming a form-locked and/or force-locked connection or areprovided to form such a connection.

In respective attachment elements these can hence possibly becorresponding form-locked elements provided to interact with each otherby forming a form-locked connection or provided to produce such aconnection, or possibly corresponding force-locked elements provided tointeract with each other by forming a force-locked connection orprovided to produce such a connection. Respective form-locked elementscan specifically be formed e.g. as a projection and hence(corresponding) receiver or recess. Consequently, by interaction ofcorresponding form-locked elements, e.g. a tongue-and-groove-joint or aconnection of such a type can be formed. Respective force-lockedelements can specifically be formed as bolts or alignment pins and hence(corresponding) receivers or recesses possibly provided with a matingthread. Consequently, by interaction of corresponding force-lockedelements, e.g. a bolt or alignment pin-connection or a connection ofsuch a type can be formed.

For that option, according to which the respective attachment elementsare provided, to interact by forming a fastening of at least two powderchamber base body segments that are to be connected or are connected toeach other for forming the base body in a force-locked manner, it isimaginable that the attachment elements are formed as at leastattachment receivers or recesses that at least partially can bepenetrated by, especially bore-like, attachment bolts, and arepenetrated by a corresponding attachment bolt in the status of beingattached to each other at least partially. An attachment bolt can be athreaded bolt or a stud bolt. An attachment receiver or recess of afirst powder chamber base body segment is formed as a through-hole, anattachment receiver or recess of a second powder chamber base bodysegment to be connected with the first powder chamber base body segmentcan be formed as a blind hole. In order to handle respective powderchamber base body segments in any way, each powder chamber base bodysegment can be provided in the section of an (upper) first edge portionwith a through-hole, and in the section of a (lower) first edge portionarranged or formed opposite said through-hole with a blind hole.

Respective attachment receivers or recesses can be arranged or formed ina (cross-sectionally seen) tapered recess section of the respectivepowder chamber base body segment such that they do not extend the outerdimensions of the respective powder chamber base body segment or theentire powder chamber.

The powder chamber base body segments are typically metal componentsmanufactured by machining, especially milling, operation. Manufacturingthe powder chamber base body segments by wire eroding or wire cutting isalso imaginable.

The metal material forming the powder chamber base body segments can bea light metal, especially aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In addition toa comparatively little weight regarding manufacturing, light metals arecharacterized by a comparatively simple machinability.

The geometric structural dimensioning of the powder chamber or thepowder room is purposefully designed for the additive manufacturing ofcomparatively large or elongated components or component structures(“large-scale structures”). These can e.g. be components of a motorvehicle, i.e. vehicle body structures like door structures.

Therefore, the powder room can e.g. have a maximum depth of 1,400 mm,especially in a range between 800 and 2,000 mm. Here, of course, upwardsand downwards exceptions are possible.

In addition to the powder module, the invention also relates to anapparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects. Theapparatus, which especially is a SLS apparatus or a SLM apparatus ischaracterized in that it comprises at least one powder module asdescribed. All embodiments in connection with the powder module thusanalogously apply to the apparatus.

The invention is explained in more detail by means of an exemplaryembodiment in the figures of the drawings. In which:

FIG. 1-3 each show a schematic diagram of a powder module according toan exemplary embodiment; and

FIGS. 4, 5 each show a schematic diagram of a drive device according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a powder module 1 according to anexemplary embodiment in a (longitudinal) sectional view. FIG. 2 showsthe powder module 1 in an illustration that is partially broken androtated by 90° compared to FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows the powder module 1 inan illustration that is partially set off and rotated by 180° comparedto FIG. 2.

The powder module 1 represents a functional component of an apparatus(not shown) for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects. Arespective apparatus is provided for additive manufacturing of at leastone object by successive, selective layer-by-layer exposure and thussolidification of individual construction material layers of aconstruction material (not shown) that can be solidified by means of atleast one energy beam (not shown). The construction material that can besolidified can for example be a metal powder. A metal powder can alsomean a powder mixture of different metals. Thus, it applies to a metalpowder that it can also be a powder of at least one metal alloy. Theenergy beam can be a laser beam. The apparatus can be an apparatus forperforming selective laser melting methods (SLM methods in short) orselective laser sintering methods (SLS methods in short), i.e. aselective laser melting apparatus (SLM apparatus) or a selective lasersintering apparatus (SLS apparatus).

The powder module 1 can generally be any powder module, which isprovided for receiving and/or dispensing construction material. Inparticular, the powder module 1 can be a construction module in whichthe actual additive construction of objects is performed and which, forthis purpose, is filled with construction material to be solidified in asuccessive, selective layer-by-layer manner when performing additivemanufacturing processes, a metering module via which, when performingadditive manufacturing processes, construction material is metered outinto a process chamber successively and in layers, or a collector modulewhich, when performing additive manufacturing processes, is filled withconstruction material that is not solidified. In the exemplaryembodiment shown in the Figures, the powder module 1 is a constructionmodule, wherein subsequent explanations are not limited to the design ofthe powder module 1 as a construction module.

The powder module 1 comprises a powder chamber 2. The powder chamber 2limits a powder room 3 that can be filled with construction material.The powder room 3 is limited at least on the side by walls (not denotedin more detail) of the powder chamber 2. At the bottom, the powder room3 is limited by a carrying device 4. The carrying device 4 is typicallymovably supported between two end positions, i.e. between an upper endposition (related to the height of the powder module 1) and a lower endposition shown in FIG. 1, relative to the powder chamber 2. The movablesupport of the carrying device 4 enables the realization of anespecially linear movement of the carrying device 4 along a verticalmovement axis or in a vertical movement direction.

The movable support of the carrying device 4 is realized by a drivedevice 5 (also cf. FIG. 4, 5) coupled to said carrying device. The drivedevice 5 is provided for forming or generating a force (driving force)setting the carrying device 4 in a respective motion relative to thepowder chamber 2.

The drive device 5 comprises two separate (electro) mechanicaladjustment units 6 a, 6 b, which can also be referred to or consideredas adjustment actuators. From the FIGS. 2-5 it can be seen that theadjustment units 6 a, 6 b are arranged in parallel next to each other.Each adjustment unit 6 a, 6 b comprises two adjustment elements 7 a, 7b. A respective first adjustment element 7 a is coupled with thecarrying device 4; a respective second adjustment element 7 b is coupledwith a support structure 9 of the powder module 1, supporting the powderchamber 2.

Each adjustment element 7 a, 7 b is movably supported relative to arespective housing element 8 a, 8 b of the respective adjustment unit 6a, 6 b, in which various components of the respective adjustment unit 6a, 6 b are arranged or formed, between a first end position and a secondend position, and vice versa.

The first end position corresponds to the end position shown in FIG. 5that is fully extended from the housing element 8 a, 8 b of therespective adjustment element 7 a, 7 b; the second end positioncorresponds to the end position shown in FIG. 4 that is fully retractedinto the respective housing element 8 a, 8 b of the respectiveadjustment element 7 a, 7 b. In the first end position of the adjustmentelements 7 a, 7 b, the carrying device 4 is moved into its upper endposition; the first end position of the adjustment elements 7 a, 7 bhence corresponds to the upper end position of the carrying device 4. Inthe second end position of the adjustment elements 7 a, 7 b, thecarrying device 4 is moved into its lower end position; the second endposition of the adjustment elements 7 a, 7 b hence corresponds to thelower end position of the carrying device 4. Apparently, the respectiveadjustment elements 7 a, 7 b of an adjustment unit 6 a, 6 b areconnected in series, i.e. arranged or aligned in a common (vertical)axis, which is parallel to the (vertical) movement axis of the carryingdevice 4.

The movements of the adjustment elements 7 a, 7 b are typically equallydirected. The traveling distance (overall lifting) of the carryingdevice 4 that can overall be realized with a respective adjustment unit6 a, 6 b results from the sum of sub-traveling distances (sub-liftings)that can be realized by means of the adjustment elements 7 a, 7 bassociated with the respective adjustment unit 6 a, 6 b between therespective first and second end positions thereof.

A respective adjustment element 7 a, 7 b has a cylindrical geometricbase shape. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the Figures, arespective adjustment element 7 a, 7 b is a telescope cylinder, whichcomprises several adjustment element portions (not denoted in moredetail) that are arranged in each other and that can be moved relativeto each other. Said telescope-like or telescope-shaped design of theadjustment elements 7 a, 7 b is purposeful, especially in terms of therealization of comparatively large traveling distances (liftings) of thecarrying device 4, i.e. especially traveling distances of at least 500mm. At this point, it is to be noted that the maximum traveling distance(lifting) of the carrying device 4 can be between 800 and 2,000 mm,especially between 950 and 1,050 mm.

The drive unit 10 is associated with a drive device 5. The drive unit 10formed as an (electric) drive motor is provided for generating a forcesetting the carrying device 4 in motion relative to the powder chamber2. The force generated by the drive unit 10 is transmitted via forcetransmission elements (not shown), i.e. belts, pinions, etc. to therespective adjustment units 6 a, 6 b or the respective adjustmentelements 7 a, 7 b of the adjustment unit to move these elements betweenthe respective end positions thereof. An example of an arrangement ofrespective force transmission elements provides for at least one forcetransmission belt (not shown) connected between the drive unit 10 andone adjustment piston of the adjustment unit in the form of a threaddrive, especially a spindle or a ball-type linear drive. The forcetransmission belt is coupled with the pinion end of the drive unit 10and the driving side of the adjustment piston of the adjustment unit.

From FIGS. 4, 5 it is seen that the adjustment units 6 a, 6 b areconnected by several cross connection structures 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, whichare each a crossbeam or a crossbar. The adjustment units 6 a, 6 b areconnected with each other by a first cross connection structure 11 a(middle cross connection structure) in the section of a respectivehousing element 8 a, 8 b of the adjustment unit. By a second crossconnection structure 11 b (upper cross connection structure), theadjustment units 6 a, 6 b are connected with each other in the sectionof the respective first adjustment elements 7 a thereof, especially inthe section of the respective free ends thereof. The second crossconnection structure 11 b similarly forms a coupling structure forcoupling the drive device 5 with the carrying device 4. By a third crossconnection structure 11 c, the adjustment units 6 a, 6 b are connectedwith each other in the section of the respective second adjustmentelements 7 b thereof, especially in the section of the free endsthereof. The third cross connection structure 11 c similarly forms acoupling structure for coupling the drive device 5 with the supportstructure 9 supporting the powder chamber 2.

Apparently, the first cross connection structure 11 a offers apossibility for a compact arrangement of the drive unit 10; the driveunit 10 is arranged, especially centered, between the at least twoadjustment units 6 a, 6 b, on the first cross connection structure 11 a.At least the first cross connection structure 11 a can at leastpartially be formed hollow such that it is provided for receiving theforce transmission elements mentioned.

In order to seal the drive unit 10, especially against intrusion ofconstruction material, the powder module 1 comprises a sealing element12 extendable in a vertical direction and especially formed like abellow. The sealing element 12 is arranged in vertical direction betweenthe carrying device 4 and the powder chamber 2 or a powder chamberconnecting part 13 connecting on the bottom of the powder chamber 2. Inthe exemplary embodiment shown in the Figure, the powder chamberconnecting part 13 is a receiving element limiting a receiving sectionprovided for receiving construction material and comprising a flowchannel structure.

The powder module 1 has several components that in operation are to besupplied with data and/or energy. Appropriate components are for examplethe drive unit 10 and the carrying device 4, i.e. especially aplate-like heater 14 forming a component part of the carrying device 4.Accordingly, the powder module 1 comprises data and/or supply lines (notdenoted in more detail) for the supply of components of the powdermodule 1 to be supplied with data and/or electricity, with data and/orelectricity. Via appropriate supply lines depending on specific design,(electric) energy and/or data, especially control signals or parameters,can be transmitted.

The supply lines are arranged directed in a chain-like guiding devices15 a, 15 b comprising several guiding elements (not denoted in moredetail) that are especially flexibly connected with each other. Theguiding devices 15 a, 15 b are each a multi-unit, elongated energy chaindesigned in an open or closed manner. The guiding devices 15 a, 15 b arenot shown in FIG. 2, in order to better illustrate the parallelarrangement of the adjustment units 6 a, 6 b.

From FIG. 1 it is seen that a first guiding device 15 a is attached byan (upper) first attachment section (not denoted in more detail) on thecarrying device 4, and by a (lower) second attachment section (notdenoted in more detail) on an immobile portion of the powder module 1,i.e. on a plate-like or plate-shaped carrying structure 16 a arranged onan immobile portion of the powder module 1. The first guiding device 15a extends in a base position at least zigzag-like between the firstattachment section and the second attachment section (cf. FIG. 3). Asecond guiding device 15 b is attached by a first attachment section(not denoted in more detail) on the drive device 5, and by a secondattachment section (not denoted in more detail) also on an immobileportion of the powder module 1, i.e. on a plate-like or plate-shapedcarrying structure 16 b arranged on an immobile portion of the powdermodule 1. The second guiding device 15 b extends—analogous to the firstguiding device 15 a—at least zigzag-like in a base position between thefirst attachment section and the second attachment section. Therespective base positions correspond to the lower end position of thecarrying device 4. The immobile portion of the powder module 1 is eachthe support structure 9 supporting the powder chamber 2.

It was mentioned that the maximum traveling distance (lifting) of thecarrying device 4 can be between 800 and 2,000 mm, especially between950 and 1,050 mm. Appropriately large liftings of the carrying device 4require a powder chamber 2 that is formed appropriately high. Therefore,the powder chamber 2 or a powder chamber base body (not denoted in moredetail) limiting the powder room 3 can be formed segmented into severalpowder chamber base body segments 2 a, 2 b that can be attached or areattached to each other forming the powder chamber base body (cf. FIG.1). By arranging respective powder chamber base body segments 2 a, 2 blike stacks, principally powder chambers 2 of any height and hence anyheights of construction can be realized. The segmentation of the powderchamber 2 or the powder chamber base body constitutes an optional designof the powder chamber 2, as mentioned.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A powder module for an apparatus foradditive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, the powder modulecomprising: a powder chamber defining a powder room configured toreceive a powdered construction material; a carrying device disposedwithin the powder room and defining a bottom portion of the powder room,the carrying device being movably supported relative to the powderchamber; and a drive device configured to move the carrying devicerelative to the powder chamber, wherein the drive device comprises atleast two adjustment units, the at least two adjustment unitsrespectively comprising: a housing element, a first telescopingadjustment element movably supported between a first end position and asecond end position relative to a first side of the housing element, anda second telescoping adjustment element movably supported between afirst end position and a second end position relative to a second sideof the housing element, wherein the first telescoping adjustment elementand the second telescoping adjustment have a common vertical axis. 2.The powder module of claim 1, comprising: a support structure configuredto support the powder chamber, wherein the respective first telescopingadjustment elements are coupled between the housing element and thecarrying device, and the respective second telescoping adjustmentelements are coupled between the housing element and the supportstructure.
 3. The powder module of claim 1, wherein the drive devicecomprises at least one motor-driven drive unit associated with the atleast two adjustment units, the at least one motor-derive drive unitconfigured to move the carrying device relative to the powder chamber.4. The powder module of claim 1, wherein the at least two adjustmentunits are arranged in parallel to one another.
 5. The powder module ofclaim 1, comprising: a cross-connection structure coupling the at leasttwo adjustment units to one another.
 6. The powder module of claim 5,wherein the drive unit is disposed between the at least two adjustmentunits and coupled to the cross connection structure.
 7. The powdermodule of claim 5, wherein the cross connection structure connects theat least two adjustment units with one other at the respective housingelement of the at least two adjustment units.
 8. The powder module ofclaim 5, comprising: an additional cross connection structure connectingthe at least two adjustment units with one other.
 9. The powder moduleof claim 8, wherein the additional cross connection structure connectsthe at least two adjustment units with one other at the respective firsttelescoping adjustment elements of the at least two adjustment units, orat the respective second telescoping adjustment elements of the at leasttwo adjustment units.
 10. The powder module of claim 1, comprising: atleast one data and/or power supply cable configured to supply componentsof the powder module with data and/or electricity, wherein the at leastone data and/or power supply cable is arranged in a guiding devicecomprising a plurality of chain-like guiding elements flexibly connectedwith one another.
 11. The powder module of claim 10, comprising: aplurality of guiding devices, the plurality of guiding devicescomprising: a first data and/or power supply cable arranged in a firstguiding device, the first guiding device attached between the carryingdevice a carrying structure, and a second data and/or power supply cablearranged in a second guiding device, the second guiding device attachedbetween the drive device and the carrying structure.
 12. The powdermodule of claim 1, comprising: a sealing element extendable in at leastone direction, the sealing element arranged or formed in verticaldirection between the carrying device and the powder chamber.
 13. Thepowder module of claim 1, wherein a traveling distance of the carryingdevice is from 800 millimeters to 2,000 millimeters.
 14. The powdermodule of claim 1, wherein the powder chamber comprises a powder chamberbase body defining the powder room, wherein the powder chamber base bodycomprises a plurality of powder chamber base body segments attached toone another.
 15. An apparatus for additive manufacturing ofthree-dimensional objects, the apparatus comprising: a powder module,wherein the powder module comprises: a powder chamber defining a powderroom configured to receive a powdered construction material; a carryingdevice disposed within the powder room and defining a bottom portion ofthe powder room, the carrying device being movably supported relative tothe powder chamber; and a drive device configured to move the carryingdevice relative to the powder chamber, wherein the drive devicecomprises at least two adjustment units, the at least two adjustmentunits respectively comprising: a housing element, a first telescopingadjustment element movably supported between a first end position and asecond end position relative to a first side of the housing element, anda second telescoping adjustment element movably supported between afirst end position and a second end position relative to a second sideof the housing element, wherein the first telescoping adjustment elementand the second telescoping adjustment have a common vertical axis. 16.The apparatus of claim 15, comprising: a support structure configured tosupport the powder chamber, wherein the respective first telescopingadjustment elements are coupled between the housing element and thecarrying device, and the respective second telescoping adjustmentelements are coupled between the housing element and the supportstructure.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the drive devicecomprises at least one motor-driven drive unit associated with the atleast two adjustment units, the at least one motor-derive drive unitconfigured to move the carrying device relative to the powder chamber.18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least two adjustment unitsare arranged in parallel to one another.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15,comprising: a cross-connection structure coupling the at least twoadjustment units to one another at the respective housing element of theat least two adjustment units, wherein the drive unit is disposedbetween the at least two adjustment units and coupled to the crossconnection structure.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, comprising: anadditional cross connection structure connecting the at least twoadjustment units with one other at the respective first telescopingadjustment elements, or, at the respective second telescoping adjustmentelements, of the at least two adjustment units.